Eighth Report - Royal Alberta Museum

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NatureAlberta
Eighth Report
of the Alberta Bird Record Committee
BY JOCELYN HUDON, RICHARD KLAUKE, RICHARD KNAPTON, M. ROSS LEIN, JOHN RIDDELL, BRIAN RITCHIE AND RAY WERSHLER
Year of Remarkable Growth!
It was another year of
remarkable growth for The
Offi cial List of the Birds of
Alberta. With the addition of
Whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus
vociferus), Acorn Woodpecker
(Melanerpes formicivorus), Redbellied
Woodpecker (Melanerpes
carolinus), Fork-tailed
Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana)
and Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus
cyanocephalus) in this report,
the list of species known to have
occurred historically in Alberta
grows to 413 species, 13 more
than only a few years ago (2002)
(Hudon 2005). Since the creation
of the Alberta Bird Record
Committee (ABRC) in 1994, an
Garganey (Anas querquedula), near Taber;
6 – 26 May 1990; 1 slide (Lloyd Bennett),
also photo in American Birds 44: 445 (1990)
and Alberta Naturalist 25(1): 12 (1993). CODE
1 RECORD. Photographic documentation
was produced, elevating the level of support
to Code 1 from Code 2 (Slater and Hudon
2004). Near Taber; 25 July 1991; 1 slide
(Lloyd Bennett) and brief description in
Alberta Naturalist 25(1): 12 (1993). CODE 1
RECORD. Photographic documentation was
produced, elevating the level of support
to Code 1 from Record Insuffi ciently
Documented (Slater and Hudon 2004). Near
Taber; 17 May – 7 June 1993; 2 slides (Lloyd
Bennett) and brief description in Alberta
Naturalist 25(1): 12 (1993). CODE 1 RECORD.
Photographic documentation was produced,
elevating the level of support to Code 1 from
Code 3 (Slater and Hudon 2004).
average of two new species have
been discovered in the province
annually, clearly a pace that is not
sustainable.
Since publication of the Seventh
Report of the ABRC (Hudon et
al. 2007), the Alberta Bird Record
Committee has reviewed and
reached decisions on 95 records,
including several sightings of rare
loons, Red-headed Woodpeckers,
Scissor-tailed Flycatchers and
Northern Parulas from the backlog
of un-adjudicated records from
the 1980s and 1990s.
The Fork-tailed Flycatcher record
is the same sighting that was
not accepted in an earlier report
RECORDS ACCEPTED
Black Scoter (Melanitta nigra), English Bay,
Cold Lake; 21 – 26 October 2005; image
posted on Albertabird Yahoo! photos (Ted
Hindmarch). CODE 1 RECORD. Inglewood
Bird Sanctuary, Calgary; 3 November 2006;
written report (Ray Wershler). CODE 3
RECORD. Two at Carburn Park, Calgary; 5
November 2006; and downstream from
Glenmore Bridge; 6 November 2006; written
reports (Tanya Barkauskas, Jim H. Davis), the
fi rst with an image. Possibly the bird seen a
few days earlier. CODE 1 RECORD.
Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata),
Ghost Reservoir; 27 October 2002; 1 slide
(Bill Walker). CODE 1 RECORD. Bow River
at Morley; 15 – 30 October 2005; written
report with 3 images (Joan & Malcolm
McDonald). CODE 1 RECORD. Two Jack
Lake, Banff National Park; 19 September
(Slater 1999). It is now accepted
based on newly unearthed
documentation, as well as an
improved knowledge of the
species’ patterns of vagrancy
(Lockwood 1999).
Finally, the provincial list is
amended to bring it in line with
the 48th supplement to the
American Ornithologists’ Union’s
“Checklist of North American
Birds” (Banks et al. 2007). This
entailed returning the Turkey
Vulture to the Falconiformes,
and returning the scientifi c
name of the Belted Kingfi sher to
Megaceryle alcyon from Ceryle
alcyon.
2006; written description (Jason Rogers).
CODE 3 RECORD. Clear Lake, near Stavely;
8 – 9 July 2007; brief description posted on
Albertabird (Bill Wilson). CODE 3 RECORD.
Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii),
NE arm of Railway Slough, SE of Irricana;
13 October 1991; written report (Reid
Barclay). CODE 3 RECORD. Ghost Reservoir;
11 – 13 November 1992; written reports
(Ray Wershler, Ross Dickson, Terry
Korolyk), the second with sketch. CODE 2
RECORD. Rescued from a freezing North
Saskatchewan River in Edmonton; 20
December 1992; photo in American Birds
47: 485 (1993) and past notes on slide and
video material (Jocelyn Hudon). CODE 1
RECORD. Bruce Lake; 15 May 1993; written
report with drawing (Gwynn Chorel). CODE
3 RECORD. Seebe Dam; 11 November 1993;

written report and notes (Terry Korolyk). CODE
3 RECORD. Ghost Reservoir; 12 November
1993; written report (Ray Wershler). CODE 3
RECORD. Immature, Cold Lake; 2 November
1996; 2 images posted on Albertabird Yahoo!
photos (Richard Klauke). CODE 1 RECORD.
Glenmore Reservoir, Calgary; 11 November
1998; written report with sketch (Andrew
Slater). CODE 3 RECORD. Immature, Glenmore
Reservoir, Calgary; 29 October – 7 November
2000; 3 slides (Bill Walker). CODE 1 RECORD.
Lake Wabamun; 13 – 14 November 2004;
written reports (Terry Thormin, Kevin Hannah).
CODE 2 RECORD. Immature, spillway below
Dickson Dam, W of Innisfail; 7 December 2004
to at least 5 January 2005; written report with
4 images (Brian Ritchie), 2 images posted on
Albertabird Yahoo! photos (Richard Klauke).
CODE 1 RECORD.
Green Heron (Butorides virescens), Vermilion
Lakes, Banff, Banff National Park; 21 March
2006; written report (Ross Doughty). CODE 3
RECORD. “Canadian Wilds” section of Calgary
Zoo, Calgary; 19 – 29 August 2006; written
report (Dwight Knapik). CODE 3 RECORD.
Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus),
pair in Wild Horse area; 26 April 2006; written
descriptions (Dennis Burns, Jason Rogers),
4 digital images of pair at nest in the area
(Brian Ritchie). CODE 1 RECORD.
Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus),
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Calgary; 28 – 30
March 2006; written report with sketches
(Ray Wershler), written reports (Eric Tull,
Mike Mulligan), brief descriptions posted
on Albertabirds (Bill Wilson, John Bregar).
CODE 2 RECORD. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary,
Calgary; 12 – 19 November 2006; two digital
images (Bill Walker), fi ve images posted on
Albertabird Yahoo! photos (Rob Worona [4],
Brian Elder [1]). CODE 1 RECORD.
Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus
antiquus), Lake Minnewanka, Banff National
Park; most of August 2007; written report
(Jason Rogers and Mike McIvor) and 4 digital
images (Michael Shuster), 2 images posted
on Albertabird Yahoo! photos (Alan Fishkin).
CODE 1 RECORD.
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica), NW
Calgary; 27 April 2006; two photographs
(Holle Hahn). CODE 1 RECORD. Medicine
Hat; from late October to about third week
of November 2007; several images (Ron
Chaykowski). CODE 1 RECORD.
RECORDS ACCEPTED…continued
Barn Owl (Tyto alba), found dead south
of Coaldale; 2 November 2006; specimen
brought to Alberta Birds of Prey Centre in
Coaldale and donated to The Royal Alberta
Museum (accession number Z06.1.14).
CODE 1 RECORD. Found dead at farm W of
High River; 8 November 2006; specimen
donated to The Royal Alberta Museum by
Don and Joyce Moore (accession Z08.8.4).
CODE 1 RECORD.
Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus
nuttallii), Cypress Hills Provincial Park (E of
Reesor Lake, above Battle Creek); 17 June
1987; written report (Ray Wershler). CODE
3 RECORD. Cypress Hills Provincial Park
(E of Reesor Lake); 17 June 2001; written
report (Ray Wershler). CODE 3 RECORD.
Near Purple Springs; 10 July 2005; written
report (Lloyd Bennett). CODE 3 RECORD.
Cypress Hills Provincial Park (along Reesor
Lake Road); 8 August 2006; written report
(Dwight Knapik). CODE 3 RECORD.
Whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferus),
picked up in downtown Calgary; 6 October
2006; turned in to the Alberta Institute for
Wildlife Conservation in Madden; 3 images
(Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation).
CODE 1 RECORD. First documented
occurrence in the province.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
(Archilochus alexandri), Brule (hamlet); 21
June 2007; written report (Linda Morgan)
and 8 digital images (Beth MacCallum).
CODE 1 RECORD.
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes
erythrocephalus), Lake Minnewanka, Banff
National Park; 16 – 18 June 1985; 2 images
(Diane McIvor). CODE 1 RECORD. Lake
Louise (hamlet); 14 and 15 June 1994;
images and transcription of fi eld notes
(Mike Potter). CODE 1 RECORD. Carburn
Park, Calgary; 9 – 14 August 1996; 1 slide
(Bill Walker) and written report with sketch
(J.B. Steeves). CODE 1 RECORD. Police Point
Park, Medicine Hat; from mid-February to
late Fall 1996; written report (Ben Velner
fi de Dennis Baresco). CODE 2 RECORD.
About 75 km north of Hinton; 10 June
1997; brief description in Schaffer (1997).
CODE 3 RECORD. Wardlow; 4 June 2004;
written report and 2 images (Jerry Pilny).
CODE 1 RECORD. Onefour; 4 June 2004;
3 digital images (Jason Duxbury). CODE 1
RECORD. N of Jenner; 1 July 2004; written
SUMMER 2008 29
report (Dwight Knapik). CODE 3 RECORD.
Near Etzikom; 16 July 2004; written report
with 2 images (Joan & Malcolm McDonald).
CODE 1 RECORD. Near Crowfoot Ferry on the
Bow River; 26 June 2007; 8 digital images
(Tim Schowalter). CODE 1 RECORD.
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes
formicivorus), near Sundre; about 1 – 9
July 2006; 14 digital images (Gerrit Wyna).
CODE 1 RECORD. First documented occurrence in
the province.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes
carolinus), Ponoka; from 1 October 2007 to
about 15 April 2008; several photographs
(Judy Boyd [2], Murray Mackay [6]). CODE 1
RECORD. First documented occurrence in
the province.
Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus
ruber), Pyramid Corrals, Jasper, Jasper
National Park; from 14 May 2007 to about
15 June 2007; two written reports and
several images (Anne Williams [4], Karen
Metz [1]), brief description (Jason Rogers).
CODE 1 RECORD.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus
forfi catus), near Fairview; 26 May 1998;
brief description (Ken Dies). CODE 3
RECORD. Near Water Valley; 10 and 11 June
2000; written report (Doug Collister) with 9
images (Peter Sherrington). CODE 1 RECORD.
Kinbrook Island Provincial Park; 30 May
2004; written report (Yousif Attia). CODE 3
RECORD. Edmonton; 18 May 2006; written
description posted on Albertabird (Thomas
J. Simonsen). CODE 3 RECORD. Access
road to Dinosaur Provincial Park; 20 – 21
May 2007; written report and 2 images
(Milton Spitzer); video on web [http://www.
webfoundations.com/webfx/RareBirds/
Scissor-tailed%20Flycatcher.wmv] (Brooke
Clibbon). CODE 1 RECORD. Pakowki Lake,
along SR 885 south of Etzikom; 8 – 9 June
2007; written report with 3 images (Joan
and Malcolm McDonald). CODE 1 RECORD.
Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus
savana), Drumheller; 1 June 1988; written
description (Jim Wedgwood) and articles in
Alberta Bird Record 6(4): 118–119 (1988)
and Blue Jay 47(2): 113–117 (1989). CODE
3 RECORD. First documented occurrence
in the province. New information elevates
the level of support to Code 3 from Record
Insuffi ciently Documented (Slater 1999).

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NatureAlberta
Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus),
Mountain View; 11 – 12 October 2007;
written report and 4 digital images (Nancy
West). CODE 1 RECORD. First documented
occurrence in the province.
Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile
rufescens), Jasper, Jasper National Park; from
late November 2006 to at least 9 March
2007; 4 digital images (Doug Faulder), written
report (Jim H. Davis). CODE 1 RECORD.
Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina),
Lethbridge; 14 September 2006; written
report with 3 images (Doug and Teresa
Dolman). CODE 1 RECORD. Claresholm; 22 –
25 May 2007; written report (Jason Attwell).
CODE 3 RECORD.
Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus)
near Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary, SW
of Edmonton; 24 May 2004; written report
and 3 images captured from video (Michelle
and Curtis Manly). CODE 1 RECORD. E of Wild
Horse; between 25 June and 25 July 2006;
written report with images of adults, eggs in
nest, nestlings and fl edglings (Geoff Holroyd).
Two unhatched [unfertilized] eggs donated
to The Royal Alberta Museum (accession
Garganey (Anas querquedula), near Ponoka;
18 April 2006; brief written description
(Murray Mackay).
Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus), female
collected in what is now probably Jasper
National Park in the spring or summer of
1826 by Thomas Drummond; illustration
and text in Fauna Boreali-Americana
(Swainson and Richardson 1831) and
supporting documentation (Jason Rogers).
Unfortunately, many uncertainties about
this record prevent its acceptance. In Adolfi s
Meadows, Jasper National Park; 23 January
1958; copy of Jasper National Park Wildlife
Card #994.22.13.03 (A. Burstrom).
Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus
cupido), two females and 5 young of the
year along “Chain Lakes Road”, about
18 km N of Hanna; 25 September 2006;
written report (Anne Williams and Gord
Ruddy). This would be an exceptional
record, considering that the species is not
believed to have bred in the province since
at least the 1930s. (Houston 2002).
RECORDS ACCEPTED…continued
Z06.5.1). CODE 1 RECORD. Near Rolling Hills;
23 May 2007; brief description posted on
Albertabird (Bill Wilson). CODE 3 RECORD.
Northern Parula (Parula americana),
Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park; 23 May
1985; written description (Doug Collister).
CODE 3 RECORD. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary,
Calgary; 15 August 1995; written report
(Olga Droppo). CODE 3 RECORD. Park Lake
Provincial Park; 25 August 1998; written
report with fi eld notes (Doug and Teresa
Dolman). CODE 3 RECORD. Cominco Natural
Area, SE Calgary; 8 September 2000; written
report with 6 images (Ross Dickson). CODE 1
RECORD. Sandy Beach, NW of Edmonton; 28
October 2000; window kill donated to The
Royal Alberta Museum by Marilyn Shinyei
(accession Z00.27.1). CODE 1 RECORD.
Kentucky Warbler (Oporornis formosus),
Weaselhead area of Glenmore Park, Calgary;
8 September 2007; written report (Richard
Clarke). CODE 3 RECORD.
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea), Airdrie;
22 and 25 May 2007; several images and
video sequences (Jeffrey Casey [7 + 3];
Sheelagh Schulze [9]). CODE 1 RECORD.
RECORDS INSUFFICIENTLY DOCUMENTED
Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii),
Lesser Slave Lake across from the Bird
Observatory; 5 July 1997; brief description
(Jason Rogers).
Barn Owl (Tyto alba), Scotch Meadows,
Banff National Park; 25 – 28 June 1996;
written report (Brian Parker).
Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii),
along Tyrrell Creek Trail, Banff National
Park; 1 June 1991; brief description (Mike
Potter fi de Jason Rogers).
Black-chinned Hummingbird
(Archilochus alexandri), Priddis Greens;
26 – 27 July 1995; written report
(Lorraine Smith). Near Pine Coulee Dam
in Willow Creek valley; between 25 May
and 4 June 2007; written report (Bill
Moore). Redwood Meadows; 31 May
2007; written report (Katherine Corkery
and Hermann Teichtmeister). Redwood
Meadows; 3 June 2007; written report
(Katherine Corkery and Mimi Hurt).
Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus),
Warner Stables, Banff National Park;
21 May 2007; brief description (Reno
Sommerhalder). CODE 3 RECORD.
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza
bilineata), near Picture Butte; 1 May 2006;
2 digital images (Marianne Klok). CODE 1
RECORD. NW Calgary; 28 – 29 May 2006;
two images (Terry Korolyk). CODE 1 RECORD.
W Lethbridge; 26 May – 1 June 2007;
written report, copy of fi eld notes and 4
images (Teresa and Doug Dolman). CODE 1
RECORD.
Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris), Bashaw;
4 May 2006; one digital image (Ron King);
another image posted in Edmonton Journal
on May 9, 2006 (“Painted Bunting pays
visit to Bashaw” by Scott Hornby). CODE 1
RECORD.
Dickcissel (Spiza americana), W of Rocky
Mountain House; from 28 May to at
least 6 June 2004; written report and 5
photographs (Melvin & Carol Kraft). CODE
1 RECORD.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes
carolinus), SW Edmonton; 3 and 9
September 2007; written report (Marlene
Kirwin) and correspondence with Jocelyn
Hudon.
Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus),
three on Bald Hills, Maligne Lake, Jasper
National Park; 18 July 2006; written
report (Hugh Dorrington).
Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea), Patricia
Lake, Jasper, Jasper National Park; 2
September 2007; brief description (Dave
Elphinstone).
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila
caerulea), Banff Recreation Grounds, Banff
National Park; early June 1993; brief
description (Alan McDonald).
Black-throated Gray Warbler
(Dendroica nigrescens), Vermilion Lakes,
Banff National Park; 30 August 1970;
very brief description (Michael Perrone
fi de Jason Rogers).

ERROR IN IDENTIFICATION
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea),
near Yaha Tinda Ranch, W of Sundre;
2 September 1991; brief description
(Ernie Ewaschuk). The species should
not exhibit a red plumage at this time
of year.
References
Banks, R.C., R. T. Chesser, C. Cicero,
J.L. Dunn, A.W. Kratter, I.J.
Lovette, P.C. Rasmussen, J.V.
Remsen, Jr., J.D. Rising, and
D.F. Stotz. 2007. Forty-eighth
supplement to the American
Ornithologists’ Union Check-list
of North American Birds. Auk
124:1109-1115.
Houston, S. 2002. Spread and
disappearance of the Greater
Prairie-Chicken, Tympanuchus
cupido, on the Canadian Prairies
and adjacent areas. Canadian
Field-Naturalist 116:1-21.
ACCEPTED, CODE 1. Records supported by material
evidence, i.e. specimens, identifi able body parts,
identifi able photographs or sound recordings,
whose origin from within the borders of Alberta
is in no doubt, that are accompanied by written
reports of the circumstances of the observation.
ACCEPTED, CODE 2. Sight records (without
supporting material evidence) by multiple
observers that are supported by written
descriptions that leave no doubt as to the species
identity. A Code 1 or 2 sighting must receive four
favourable votes and no more than one dissenting
vote to be accepted.
ACCEPTED, CODE 3. Sight records by single
observers that are supported by a written
description that leaves no doubt as to species
QUESTIONABLE ORIGIN
Smew (Mergellus albellus), wetland along Hwy
5 just E of Mountain View; 7 April 2007; 8
images and written report (Gary Kurtz).
Hudon, J. 2005. The Offi cial List of the
Birds of Alberta: now 400 species
and counting... Nature Alberta
35(1):10-18.
Hudon, J., R. Klauke, R. Knapton, M.R.
Lein, J. Riddell, B. Ritchie and R.
Wershler. 2007. Seventh Report of
the Alberta Bird Record Committee.
Nature Alberta 37(2):31-33.
Lockwood, M. W. 1999. Possible
anywhere: Fork-tailed Flycatcher.
Birding 31:126-139.
Swainson, W. and J. Richardson. 1831.
Fauna Boreali-Americana, or the
Zoology of the Northern Parts of
British America. Part Second: The
Birds. London: John Murray.
THE CODE DEFINITIONS REPORTED ARE:
identity, and which receive fi ve favourable
votes and no dissenting vote. A Code 3 is
the minimum for inclusion in the offi cial
provincial list.
ACCEPTED, CODE 4. Sight records by single
observers that receive four favourable votes
and no more than one dissenting vote. For
record adjudication purposes, such a record
is acceptable, but does not pass the more
stringent requirements for inclusion on the
offi cial provincial list. A list of species that
have no higher than a Code 4 record may be
published as an appendix to the offi cial list.
INSUFFICIENTLY DOCUMENTED. Records
supported by material evidence or written
descriptions that are not detailed enough
SUMMER 2008 31
“If a man would move
the world, he must fi rst
move himself.”
-- SOCRATES
The authors are members of the Alberta Bird Record Committee, chaired by Jocelyn Hudon, Curator of Ornithology, The
Royal Alberta Museum.
“I’ll say it a dozen times, people have to remember that the Oil Sands are owned by
the people, they’re not owned by the oil companies.”
PETER LOUGHEED, PREMIER OF ALBERTA 1971-1985
Schaffer, W. 1997. Red headed
Woodpecker sighting north of Hinton,
Alberta. Alberta Naturalist 27:69.
Slater, A. 1999. Second Report of the
Alberta Bird Record Committee.
Alberta Naturalist 29(2):30-31.
Slater, A., and J. Hudon. 2004. Fifth Report
of the Alberta Bird Record Committee.
Nature Alberta 34(1):15-18.
to eliminate all other possibilities, or to
support conclusively the identifi cation of
the species as presented. Placement in this
category should in no way be interpreted
as a refl ection on the veracity of the
observation, but should be looked upon as an
encouragement to substantiate occurrence of
the species in the province more fully.
ERROR IN IDENTIFICATION. Records that are
not supported by the documentation available
to the committee, or that describe another
species from that suggested.
QUESTIONABLE ORIGIN. Records that concern
species that are of questionable origin,
possibly escapees, and whose wild status
cannot be determined accurately.